Ear Infection

Took Mason to the Dr. today. He has had a runny nose, but he goes to daycare so that really isn't unusual for us. He did however have reddened eyes on Monday and Tuesday. Not pink eye just reddened. I had to have Rob explain to daycare it isn't pink eye, probably just a viral infection. Well, Tuesday afternoon I noticed a bit of drainage from his eyes and then while I was giving him a bath and cleaning his ears he pulled away. Of course, Dr. Dad was on call so I couldn't make him look in his ears. So Wednesday afternoon when dad got home at 5pm I had him peek in his ears and sure enough his left ear was reddened and appeared pussy. Rob is really good about not treating Mason himself and letting me take him to the pediatrician. So off to Dr. West’s we went this afternoon and came home with a script with a probable bacterial infection. Poor kid, he has been a bit shorter, but I contributed it to being tired from daycare, you know the cot transition has been rough. He is a happy sick kid for the most part. He has been shorter in the evening times, but I do that sometimes too. Anyways 10 days of antibiotics, let’s see if my fetal brain drain can stay on top of that!

I'm a Maniac-Maniac.....

Mason loves to play in the bathroom drawers while I get ready everyday. I try to keep him occupied and have to be creative. So I showed him how to put a headband on then I take it off and make him try. It used to be a fun game that would keep him occupied for a few minutes, but now he gets frustrated when he is unsuccessful. He requests help putting them on now, and then continues to play and walk around upstairs while I get ready. It reminds me of the movie Flashdance when she dances to the Maniac song and he makes me laugh every time I look at him with them on. He only wears them for a few minutes and then wants to change it out for another one. Sometimes I put one on my head as we get ready and we dance to music, we are quite the site. Luckily Rob is always at work and never has to witness both of us looking like maniacs. I know I shouldn't take these kinds of pictures, but they just bring a smile and a chuckle. Mason also has to brush his teeth if he spends any extended time in the bathroom. We got him a rotating tooth brush and he loves it. He turns in on himself and when he is done he turns it off and says "All Done" He also has a new favorite saying. He says Whoa but it sometimes has a Vwhoa sound to it. We are out driving and he will Whoa and then talk in gibberish like he is trying to explain his Vwhoa. He is just too cute!

Daycare Graduation

Mason has graduated from the Mickey and Friends room. We were very sad to leave Ms. Debbie and Ms. Paula behind. They spoiled him A LOT! We have moved onto Winnie the Pooh room with Ms. Lorna and Ms. Deanna. We are still adjusting to the new room. He never cried when we left him before, he would blow you a kiss good-bye, but now he leaches onto your leg and cries for you to pick him up. I try to ease him into in, but then I have to put him down and run, breaks my heart every time. I am hormonal and it makes me tear up to see him get so upset, so I make Rob take him now when he is available. He now sleeps on a cot at daycare. Depends upon the day, but he isn't sleeping well and he tends to wake everyone else up in the room too. The other day, he only had a 15 min nap time listed. He does bring home art projects. I think they are precious scribbles.

34 weeks

Had our 34 week appointment today. All is going well, except I have been challenged to only gain 2 lbs in 2 weeks rather than more. I have been indulging in sweets and not eating very good this time around. Ooops.
We aren't prepared for baby #2. I need to get clothes washed and put in place and dig out the sleep sacks, etc. We aren't even sure where we are going to put this kid yet. Yikes! We are much more relaxed this time around. I was telling Dr. King how relaxed we were and she joked and said she was going to give me a social services consult. It is hard to plan and move furniture around when were not sure if we are staying or leaving Milwaukee. I think once Rob makes a decision on where he wants to work, I will get more definite in my baby planning. He has been offered a job here in Milwaukee, but is looking at other options as well.

Mason is starting to talk more, but you can't understand what he is saying. It sounds like he is trying to say things in sentences. He will open a book now and talk like he is reading the story. It is precious. He is getting more advanced with his skills and coordination. He can buckle his high chair straps all on his own now. I don't have the patience for him to do it when I put him in, but when we are all done eating he likes to play with the straps while I sit with him and he buckled them all by himself. He was quite proud!

Grocery Shopping to the next level

Still bitter cold here and it doesn't stop us. We went grocery shopping today and Mason got to ride in the germ infested car cart for the first time. He was all excited. I was worried he would try to climb out, but he was having a great time driving us around the store. It is harder to keep his wandering hands from grabbing items when he is down low in front of you. We almost bought a few extra canned goods Mason picked up while shopping. If you look closely we are in the wine isle waiting for Rob to make his beer selections for this evening. I had to keep the cart centered so little hands didn't wander.


It is Packer Mania here. We watched the game with some friends this evening while Mason had a play date. It was nice having a playmate, we didn't have to entertain Mason as much.

HairCut

The cold can't stop us! I am not sure what the high was today, but we started around -1 with a wind chill of -24ish? Who really knows the exact temperature, other than bitter cold. Hudson doesn't mind being outside. I think the colder it gets the more he whines at the door while outside begging for a walk. He didn't get one.
Mason had another haircut today. He has had so many I have lost count. In the past we went to Rob's barber, but we were told of this fancy kid haircut place and I couldn't resist trying it out. It plays a movie for the kids while they get their haircut, but of course Mason didn't care or watch it. He found a few trains from the train table and had to carry them around. He is such a handsome young man with his new clean cut. Needless to say, it was an experience but not one I am sold on. Next haircut is back to the local barber. Who cares if it is a bit uneven, it gives Mason character!

18 month check-up

Mason had his 18 month check up today. He is right on track with everything. His stats come in at Height: 35.25 inches up 2 inches from his 15 month check-up. Weight 28.5lbs only up a pound in 3 months. Head Circumference of 47.25 down .25 inches, but I am sure his head didn't shrink. He was a bit more wriggly and uncooperative this time so it was hard to measure his head. If he would eat more protein, he might gain more weight. He still won't touch cheese, cottage cheese, beans, or meat. We do get lucky and he eats a few bites of chicken or beef, but we think we are doing great if he takes 2 bites. He is a veggie and fruit kid. He does love broccoli so I guess I shouldn't complain. I am excited because we have completed all our shots until he goes to kindergarten. I think Mason is happy as well. I made Rob hold him today for his last shot. His pain receptors are defiantly intact.

Mason 18 Months 1.5 Years

Mason is 18 months today. I shouldn't admit this, but I got confused a few months back and thought he was going to be a year and a half at 16 months. I am going to blame it on my fetal brain drain, I used to have good math skills??
Mason continues to amaze me every day. I enrolled him in a music class and our first class was today. He did ok, but he was more clingy to me than I expected. When we sang and danced in a circle, he didn't want to hold any ones had and he wanted me to hold him. He got better towards the end of the class, and when class was over he was all set. I guess he has a 30 min warm up time, bad thing is that the class is only 30min. I think he will get better with more classes. He was awed by the teacher when she played the violin and she even let him strum it. At least he is showing an interest. Rob and I have no musical talents, not sure if Mason has hope or not. Time will only tell.
We also went to an open gym this evening. It is a gymnastics gym that they let open to the public and you can let your kid run free. It was a bit busier than what I expected, but Mason enjoyed it. He didn't care for the pit full of foam at first, but warmed up to it later. I will have to get a video or a picture of him playing in it. They have just a preschool open gym during the week that I am going to try next time.

Rob Thinks Hudson needs a playmate

Rob and I had a funny discussion last night. He met a new nutritionist at work and found out that her husband raises and races pure Siberian Huskies. I am sure the conversation they had was very interesting. What I learned from their conversation is that Hudson needs a playmate. The nutritionist convinced Rob that Hudson would be an even better dog if he had another husky to play with. Didn't every one know huskies play better with other huskies? Rob is asking me to keep an open mind to the idea for when the perfect opportunity comes along to add another dog to our family. In the past I have told Rob he had to pick between babies and dogs, and since we are expecting our 2nd child, everyone knows what won. I am not giving that option this go round because I am not sure he would pick another baby over another dog.

32 Weeks

Only 8 more weeks until Baby Girl Chaplin is due. I had my 32 week check up today and all is going good. The Dr. thought the head was up at 28 weeks so I have been feeling my belly and mushing it. Not that it was doing any good, but I wanted her little head down. I thought I could still feel a little round head on my upper right side, but I found out today that I was feeling round little butt cheeks. We have confirmation that her head is down.
Still working on names. Rob was a big fan of Miley and I liked it too until I learned about Miley Cyrus and Hanna Montana. I just think it might be a bit too popular for my liking. I thought it would be cute to have a Mason and Miley or even Macy, but the names are a tad bit too close. We have a few names picked out and I think we are going to wait until we meet her to pick one.

I did have a blink of what it will be like with two. Check me out holding my niece Isabella and Mason. Every time I had Isabella in my arms Mason wanted to be picked up as well. Not to mention he about poked her eye out 4 times. He also likes to point out body parts for you. Just doesn't quite understand not to poke when he shows you where his eye is or anyone else's. He is funny, if you ask him where his eye is he shows you then goes around to everyone in the room and shows you theirs as well.

Happy Hunters

The men went hunting again this year. I am a bit upset, everything they shot, Todd froze and took back to Alabama. They didn't prepare any pheasant for us to eat this year.
We did get some funny pictures of Mason with the birds. He is pointing them out to you in the picture with his dad and papaw was nice and let him pet the head. He isn't quite sure about it. It will be a few years before Mason gets to hunt, poor kid will have to stay back with all the girls until he is old enough.

4 Legs Up BBQ

We drove over to Great Bend to eat at 4 Legs Up BBQ. Rob had a great idea to hold Mason up by all 4's and take his picture. It is kind of funny, and makes me chuckle. You can see my belly really well in the shot as well. Hard to believe we are going to have a baby in 9 weeks.
It was great catching up with family while we ate BBQ. The Deming's came all the way from Pratt to see us and The Wertz family owns the restaurant. So we got star treatment of keeping the restaurant open just for us. It was great food, so good that we didn't need to eat supper that evening. I did have a fried macaroni and cheese appetizer and that was yummy. If you ever find yourself in Great Bend, go to 4Legs Up BBQ and bring your appetite.